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Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Leaked Blue Jays Logo: Is it Legit?

At first, I thought it might have been a hoax; but as reputable news sources and websites continue to jump on this story, I'm starting to think more and more that this will be the new Blue Jays logo.

When Getting Blanked first ran with the story yesterday, there was something about the logo that didn't sit quite right. My initial reaction was that the photo looked doctored and way too similar to the original Blue Jay to be a new design.

The first red flag is none other than the red leaf; it just doesn't look like it belongs. With the size of the leaf, things look a little disproportionate and heavily weighted on the ride side of the logo. But I guess with the beak on the left side, it kind of evens things out.

Then I thought, if the Blue Jays were going to mimic the old logo so closely, why not just revert back to it anyway? I would be perfectly content in just going back to the old uniforms from the glory days anyway.

However, if we examine the old logo and this rumoured logo side by side, they are actually quite different.

The major changes are: the removal of the baseball in the background, a more streamlined, modernized Blue Jay, a much different colour scheme between the top and bottom of the bird, and obviously a much bigger maple leaf.

And actually, it's almost as though whoever designed this logo melded the old Blue Jays logo with the cap logo from 1999. Here they are side by side with the leaked logo:

I know the Blue Jays have a tough task of trying to reinvent the wheel here, but if this logo is in fact legitimate, I think they have a winner on their hands. I actually prefer the new colour scheme over the old one anyway, and the streamlined Blue Jay is still an homage to the past without looking too dated.

The maple leaf placement still seems a little weird to me, but it's something I can definitely get used to ... and it's already growing on me. It will be interesting to see how this new proposed logo would be worked into the uniforms, and which colours they might use.

Anyway, all signs point to it being pretty authentic. The MLB logo placement on the new Blue Jays logo and the new Miami Marlins logo is in the same spot, and the font above the new logos is the same as well. Then again, anybody with Photoshop could easily put that together.

So what do you guys think: if this new leaked logo is in fact the real deal, do you approve?

Frankly, I think they could have done much worse. Just look at the new Miami Marlins logo for example. That salmon colour should have no place in a professional sports team logo ... ever.

I actually really like this new logo. I was all for going back to the old jersey's and logo's, but that was mostly because I thought they would screw it up again....and the old one would be better than a ridiculous new one (Marlins!!)

However, having seen this one, I think they've done a great job, colours are great, and the new changes definitely make it look not so dated.

Steph, is it weird that I actually like the current Marlins logo with the F and the Marlin?

Roll, touche. I can't think of any other instance in pro sports where that colour would be acceptable.

DJaysM, you and me both. I figured the easiest and best thing to do was to just revert back to the old logos - folks like them, and they time a classic timeless look to them. But I like the new adaptation, and I can see it sticking around for a while.

Peter, it will be interesting to see what that looks like. I wasn't a fan of the "Blue Jays" being wrapped around the original logo - I guess it all depends on which font they decide to use (the old one again perhaps, or maybe a new one altogether).

Minor Leaguer, seems to be that folks are leaning more towards this new logo being legit. I believe it, we'll have to wait and see in the coming weeks and months if it is in fact true!

I'm still sceptical the genuineness of this logo, but presuming it's real, I'm alright with it. I'd much rather see the maple leaf exit the design (it just seems tacked-on here), but the Jay design itself is better than any of the older designs, and the colours are an improvement.

Beautiful! That is exactly what they needed to do, upgrade their old logo a little bit. I think is legit just because there were lots and lots of fans begging that they went back to the old unis, and this just prove that BJ's org value their fans, unlike Marlins! I for one like the leaf since they want to market the team as Canada's team! Now one can only hope that Rogers starts spending that money! But definitley a good star with the unis!

Gabriel, I could also live without the maple leaf too. I think it would look perfectly fine without it, but understand that they want to keep it in there so people know the Blue Jays are "Canada's Team".

Stephen, those are also great logo designs - very simple, very clean. I really like the white front panel caps. Any interpretation of it should look great.

Mr. Lopezzio, this logo is a great compromise for the traditionalists as well as the folks who wanted a more modern-looking logo. It should appease both sides and make everyone happy.

I'm meh about the new logo, I don't think they had to hire some big marketing firm to design it though. It could be much worse like the T-bird.Lots of talented people out there could have come up with this. Good update of the classic logo. I'm pissed off though because I just bought a Jose jersey in black a few months ago. I hate the black, but the store didn't have the home jerseys, and for the price ($60) I wasn't complaining. Anyway, I don't get the Marlins new logo. It's absolutely horrible, I can't wait to see their "salmon pink" alternate uni's

I do have to admit, the jersey is pretty cool. It's got the maple leaf on the shoulder . And it has the proper font style and number style on the back. I've seen lots for more money that have "hockey style" letters and numbers on them.

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About the Blue Jay Hunter

The Blue Jay Hunter is a blog about the Toronto Blue Jays, which takes a look at the team under the microscope. Mixed in with just a hint of humour, and a shred of dignity. I also have an affinity for baseball moustaches.